Contact Information

Education

BS, Pharmacology, University of IowaMD, Medicine, University of IowaPhD, Pharmacology, University of Iowa

Fellow, Ophthalmology Research Fellow, Department of Ophthalmology, University of IowaInternship, Medicine, Gundersen Clinic & Lutheran HospitalResident, Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of IowaFellow, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa

Licensure and Certifications

Federal DEAIowa Controlled Substance

Education/Training Program Affiliations

Medical Scientist Training Program

Center, Program and Institute Affiliations

Carver Family Center for Macular Degeneration, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Institute for Clinical and Translational Science

Research Summary

I am Director of Neuro-ophthalmology at The University of Iowa and have been an active clinician scientist for over 25 years. Additionally I am Director of the Iowa City VA Center for Prevention and Treatment of Vision Loss, funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which organizes a group of over 20 scientists and clinicians towards studying and researching optic nerve and retinal disorders that have relevance to the military population, especially in relation to traumatic brain injury (TBI). I have expertise in the physiology of the melanopsin containing retinal ganglion cells (MGC) in humans and animals. Most recently, I have obtained funding and have published articles on using the pupil light reflex to measure the rod, cone, and melanopsin mediated pupil responses in humans and animals. Recently, we have extended our measurements to recording the EMG of the eye's squinting muscles and skin conductance in response to increasing intensities of red and blue light to objectively characterize photosensitivity in patients. Clinically, I also diagnose and work with patients and veterans with photophobia and headache following TBI. I have been collaborating with colleagues over the last few years on light mediated responses of the visual system. I also have a great deal of clinical expertise in photophobia and testing of visual function, including the pupil, besides my research and translational interests.

Kardon, R. (2005). Are we ready to replace cocaine with apraclonidine in the pharmacologic diagnosis of Horner syndrome?. Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, 25(2), 69-70.PMID: 15937425.